### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **ʼarbeh**, represented by `{{H697}}`, is a term for **locust** or **grasshopper**. Derived from a root word signifying rapid increase, it appears **24 times** across **21 unique verses**. It primarily denotes the swarming insect known for its devastating impact on agriculture, but it is also used metaphorically to describe overwhelming numbers and divine power.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H697}}` is most famously featured as the eighth plague upon Egypt. The text describes an unprecedented swarm of **locusts** covering the entire land, sent to **eat** every herb left by the hail [[Exodus 10:12]]. The severity of this event was unique, with scripture noting that "before them there were no such **locusts** as they, neither after them shall be such" [[Exodus 10:14]]. It is also listed alongside **famine** and **pestilence** as a potential divine judgment [[1 Kings 8:37]]. In a different context, it is used to describe the sheer multitude of the Midianite and Amalekite armies, which lay in a valley "like **grasshoppers** for multitude" [[Judges 7:12]]. Conversely, the **locust** is also listed among the insects permitted for consumption under Mosaic law [[Leviticus 11:22]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words expand upon the concepts of plagues, consumption, and agricultural disaster:
* `{{H1501}}` **gâzâm** (palmer-worm): This term appears in a sequence of devouring insects where what the **palmer-worm** leaves, the locust eats, illustrating a relentless and comprehensive destruction [[Joel 1:4]].
* `{{H2625}}` **châçîyl** (caterpillar): Often mentioned in tandem with `{{H697}}`, this word denotes another type of ravaging insect. God gives the people's labor "unto the **locust**" and their increase to the **caterpiller** [[Psalms 78:46]], and both are part of the divine army in Joel [[Joel 2:25]].
* `{{H7458}}` **râʻâb** (famine): This word describes the direct consequence of a locust plague. The potential for **dearth** or **famine** is frequently linked with the appearance of **locusts**, framing them as a major cause of national catastrophe [[2 Chronicles 6:28]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H697}}` is primarily tied to its role as a tool of divine will.
* **Instrument of Judgment:** The **locust** is wielded by God as a direct agent of punishment. He brings the **locusts** upon Egypt to demonstrate His power [[Exodus 10:4]] and later refers to the swarms, including the **locust**, as "my great army" sent among His people [[Joel 2:25]].
* **Symbol of Overwhelming Force:** The term is used metaphorically to convey an innumerable, unstoppable force. An invading army is described as "more than the **grasshoppers**, and are innumerable" [[Jeremiah 46:23]], highlighting its destructive potential.
* **Metaphor for Frailty and Instability:** In the Psalms, an individual in deep distress describes himself as "tossed up and down as the **locust**" [[Psalms 109:23]], illustrating a sense of powerlessness and being subject to forces beyond his control.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H697}}` is more than just a name for an insect. It serves as a powerful biblical symbol for divine judgment, overwhelming military force, and the fragility of both agriculture and human life. From a literal plague capable of causing famine to a metaphor for a vast army, **ʼarbeh** demonstrates how the natural world is used in scripture to convey profound theological truths about power, punishment, and providence.
TRV